More workers are willing to quit their jobs, but in the goods-sector leaving is still hard

One sign the labor market is warming up is more people are telling the boss to take this job and shove it. But their willingness to do that depends a lot of on what kind of work they do—a difference that has implications for labor costs, and for what areas of the economy are likely to generate inflation.

As part of its monthly report on job openings and labor turnover, the Labor Department on Wednesday reported that the private-sector quits rate—the share of workers voluntarily quitting their jobs—came to 2.3% in...